Dizzy by Cathy Cassidy

Dizzy's mum Storm suddenly waltzes back into her life afters years of absence. Dizzy has a shrine in her room with the postcards she receives yearly from her mother, and she has waited all her life for this moment. Twelve year old Dizzy is swept of her feet and leaves her Dad temporarily to go on six week trip in a glitzed up combi  to hippie type festivals where she finds herself sleeping in teepees, eating natural foods and learning all manner of crafts.  Suddenly, she is missing her dad, babysitting a younger child called  Mouse, and not so sure about her decision. That is, until Finn, another festival child captures her attention and they become close friends.

I read this book in a night, if you enjoy Cathy Cassidy, you will not be disappointed with this one. 

Junk Castle by Robin Klein

Mandy, Rene, Con and Splinter are all in the same grade at school and live in the same block of flats. They have nowhere to play and the so called park over the road is only a moderate-sized triangle of grass called The Beatrice Binker Reserve which is not even big enough for a game of soccer. They also have the grumpy and verbally abusive Mr Drake to deal with.

"...aren't you the same kids I have already told of yesterday for chalking arrows all over the footpath you need a good belting the lot of you and you girl yes you with the plaits what do you mean by leaning against my fence like that blocking the sunlight from my dahlias eh speak up!"

Take a step back into the eighties to see what upper primary kids did without Play Stations, mobile phones and other electronic gadgetry. Irene has a speech to make at school so it's off to the local library, no world wide web. In the block of flats they have to creep up and down the stairs to deliver messages to each other, no texting. To alleviate their boredom they scavenge around the neighbourhood for building materials and build their own castle in the reserve. There are now two copies of this little delight with different       covers in the classroom library. 

Jezza Sez by Libby Hathorn

Jezza (Jeremy Smith) is a popular kid and he want to make money to buy a rubber dinghy. His close friends Arnold, Florence and Costa readily agree to help him in his money making adventures. However, the baby sitting doesn't work, the paper run doesn't work out too well either, but despite some setbacks the money sock is steadily filling up. Then, suddenly his mum urgently needs the money for something else and Jezza has to make some decisions. This little novel is now out of print. It is an easy read and each chapter has a detailed ink drawing by Donna Rawlings. Have a look at Lauthor Libby Hathorn's colourful website:

http://www.libbyhathorn.com/

Jodie's Journey by Colin Thiele

Colin Thiele, a true blue Australian author, is very worth reading. In this novel, Jodie rides her horse, Monarch, in shows with increasing success until the sudden onset of rheumatoid arthritis which prevents her from completing a ride in the last show of the season. After she is referred to a specialist in Adelaide she learns about the disease and how best to deal with it. The summer is overbearingly hot, perfect weather for a bushfire! On what became known as Ash Wednesday, Jodie is home alone, when fires, fuelled by a strong wind, break out in the hills around Adelaide. Jodie decides to set Monarch free and in her wheelchair, leads the way to safety. The story is easy to read and the facts about juvenile arthritis are clearly portrayed. Jodie’s is a very emotional struggle.

People Might Hear You by Robin Klein

A riveting Robin Klein book with sinister undertones. “Don't ever let them know you are here." Frances is told. "Don't ever let them know you're here...You mustn't raise your voice or call out...people outside might hear you."If you enjoyed Grace by Morris Gleitzman, you will most likely enjoy this novel. France's aunt Lois marries a stern, forbidding Mr Tyrell. Frances is then introduced to a mysterious temple, with its strange, fanatical beliefs. At first she easily accepts her aunt's new life, and tries to be a “worthy” member of the temple. However, slowly she uncovers its terrible secrets and realises she has to escape. The rules meant that nobody can enter or leave the house at will. All daily life is regimented and supervised. This book focuses on the fear, seclusion and propaganda that is sometimes used to retain people in cults. It is quite a complex novel but well worth the read.

Want to know more, ask Simon. There are now two copies of this novel in the Little Library of Rescued Books so you could read along with a friend.